Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Somalia: Corruption

Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what information they have about the alleged misappropriation of public funds involving United Kingdom companies cited in Annex 5 to the Somalia report of the United Nations Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea published in October 2014 (S/2014/726).

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: There were no specific allegations of misappropriation of public funds involving UK companies in the UN Monitoring Group’s October 2014 report. However, the report notes the phenomenon of “secret contracting” involving Somali natural resources and national assets. The rise of this phenomenon is particularly concerning. The British Government works in close partnership with the Somali authorities and other international partners, such as the World Bank, to improve the overall transparency and accountability of public financial management in Somalia. We recognise that much has been done over the last two years to improve the very poor financial management systems that the Federal Government of Somalia inherited in 2012. We welcome in particular the introduction of an automated financial management information system and the establishment of a “Financial Governance Committee (FGC)”, a forum which has enabled the International Financial Institutions to give advice on reform of asset management, public sector procurement, and public financial management. The FGC also reviews government contracts, which has resulted in the termination and renegotiation of some major contracts. We continue to monitor closely and support efforts to improve Somalia’s public financial management.

Pacific Ocean Islands: Climate Change

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assistance they are providing to (1) Tuvalu, (2) Vanuatu, and (3) Nauru, to counter the threat to the long-term viability of the islands caused by climate change.

Lord Jones of Cheltenham: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with (1) other European Union member states, (2) the United States of America, and (3) the United Nations, regarding the threat posed by climate change to the viability of small island nations.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We engage with UN and US and EU partners about the risks and impacts of climate change on a regular basis, both within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations, and in other fora including the G7, G20 and Pacific Island Forum. This includes, but is not limited to engagement focussing on the particular vulnerabilities of the small island states to climate change. The UK provides financial support to small island nations through bilateral and multilateral channels, such as the European Development Fund, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and regional development banks. The UK has also committed to provide financial support to the multilateral Green Climate Fund which will include support for adaptation in countries vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, including the small island states.

Syria

Lord Judd: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 2139 and 2165 regarding Syria, in particular regarding the action or inaction of the governments of Russia and China.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: As required by UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2139, the Secretary General has produced monthly reports to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria. UNSCR 2165 and its successor, UNSCR 2191, also continue to be implemented. According to the UN Secretary General’s most recent report, by 31 July 2015, the UN and its partners had delivered 154 shipments of aid into Syria. The UK has allocated £233 million for the provision of humanitarian assistance inside Syria, to be delivered through our UN and non-governmental organisation partners. However, the delivery of aid in Syria is complicated by the continued obstruction of aid delivery by the Assad regime, as well as by the regime’s indiscriminate attacks on population centres, especially through the use of barrel bombs. Countries with influence over the Syrian government, including Russia, must use that influence to press the Assad regime to comply with its responsibilities under international humanitarian and human rights law.

Burma: Sexual Offences

Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what funding they provide to organisations that support women in Burma to ensure the proper documentation of sexual violence resulting from conflict in that country.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Sexual violence in Burma remains a significant problem. Our work to date has included funding for an international non-governmental organisation to provide training to various local non-state actors on the protection of women in armed conflict and supporting a project that creates legal aid centres and provides training to paralegals to help provide advice and assistance on documenting crimes of sexual violence. Our work to provide educational courses to the Burmese military has also included components on sexual violence in conflict. The lack of effective documentation means that many cases go unreported and unpunished. During his visit in July, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), launched the International Protocol on the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence at an event in Rangoon attended by Burmese civil society groups. The International Protocol provides the know-how to enable governments and civil society organisations to produce effective reporting to an evidentiary standard capable of supporting prosecutions.

Gibraltar: Spain

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of recent statements by the Spanish Minister for Europe in relation to British waters surrounding Gibraltar that Spain does not recognise United Kingdom rights over maritime areas not covered by Article X of the Treaty of Utrecht 1713.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are confident of UK sovereignty over British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW) under international law and have made our position clear to the Spanish government.

Yemen: Armed Conflict

Lord Luce: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current assessment of the conflict in Yemen.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Government of Yemen and Saudi-led Coalition have made military gains in recent weeks against the Houthis and forces loyal to former president Saleh. We hope this will help build a base for the future return of the legitimate Yemeni government. A political solution is the best way to achieve long-term stability in Yemen, and we remain fully supportive of the UN’s efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire and resumption of an inclusive political process. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with eighty per cent of the population in need of assistance. The Department for International Development has allocated £55 million, through UN agencies and humanitarian non-governmental organisations, to support Yemenis affected by the crisis. We remain extremely concerned by reports of alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, and continue to raise the importance of compliance with all parties to the conflict. The risk of terrorist groups, such as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Yemen, exploiting the instability is also a major concern. We continue to work with regional and international partners to tackle the threat.

Gibraltar: Spain

Lord Luce: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the delays to cars and freight vehicles crossing the border between Gibraltar and Spain in June, July and August 2015; and how this compares with those months in 2014.

Lord Luce: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether all the recommendations of the European Commission to facilitate movement across the Gibraltar to Spain border have been implemented by the United Kingdom and the Spanish government.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: According to Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar figures, the maximum delay to vehicle traffic crossing the Gibraltar-Spain border in 2015 were: 90 minutes for June; 105 minutes for July; and 105 minutes for August. In 2014 the figures were 320 minutes for June; 180 minutes for July and 300 minutes for August. While we have started to see an overall downward trend, disproportionate delays remain unacceptable. Working with Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar, we provide regular updates to the European Commission on the flow of traffic at the border. We continue to press the Spanish government to implement the European Commission’s recommendations quickly, in full and in consultation with Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar. The Commission has welcomed the steps taken by Gibraltar in response to their recommendations.

Gibraltar: Spain

Lord Luce: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of recent incidents involving Spanish customs boats entering British Territorial waters around Gibraltar, and what action has since been taken.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Recent illegal incursions by Spanish Customs vessels into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW) are unacceptable and unlawful under international law. Incursions are a violation of sovereignty, not a threat to it. They do not weaken or undermine the legal basis in international law for British sovereignty over Gibraltar, including BGTW.In response to the incursion on 22 August we protested to the Spanish government at a high level and secured their assurances that they will respect the importance of safety at sea. Working closely with Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar, we have agreed with Spain to step up law enforcement cooperation in the fight against organised crime.

Gibraltar: Spain

Lord Luce: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many incursions there were into British Territorial waters around Gibraltar by the Spanish Guardia Civil, customs officers and navy in June, July, and August 2015; and how this compares with those months in 2014.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: In June, July and August 2015, there were 45, 40 and 41 unlawful incursions respectively by Spanish State vessels into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. For the same months in 2014, the numbers were 46, 31 and 25.

Syria: Armed Conflict

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what strategy they have to help to end the conflict in Syria in view of the current migrant crisis in Europe.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: An inclusive political transition in Syria is the only way to end the conflict and to alleviate Syria’s humanitarian crisis. The UK continues to call on the Syrian regime and its supporters to engage seriously in the political process. Violence in Syria, particularly on the part of the Assad government’s deliberate targeting of civilians, is the root cause of the current refugee crisis. Over four million Syrians have had to flee their homes and a quarter of a million Syrians have been killed. The UK will continue to work with the UN Special Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, and our international partners to press for a political settlement to resolve the conflict in Syria in line with the Geneva Communiqué.

Muslim Brotherhood Review

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussion they have had with (1) Saudi Arabia, (2) Egypt, and (3) the United Arab Emirates, following the delivery of the Government-sponsored review of the Muslim Brotherhood in March.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have regular discussions with the Governments of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates about various issues including the Muslim Brotherhood Review. We expect the main findings of the Review to be made public in the context of the Extremism Strategy. We will keep Parliament updated on developments.

Conflict, Stability and Security Fund

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what payments have been made since the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund was established; and what is the planned destination of expenditure from that fund during the rest of this financial year.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: At the end of Quarter 1, payments of £163million have been made from the £1,033million Conflict Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) with the majority of spend not scheduled until Quarter 2 and 3. The National Security Council (NSC) agreed CSSF allocations at the start of the Financial Year, the details of which were made in the Written Ministerial Statement about the CSSF on 12 March 2015 by the then Minister for Government Policy in the Cabinet Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for West Dorset (Mr Letwin), which was repeated the same day in the House of Lords by Lord Wallace of Saltaire, (HLWS379).

Syria: Military Intervention

Lord Morris of Aberavon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had in the Security Council and other UN organisations about the involvement of British troops in Syria.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: There have been no discussions in the Security Council or UN fora about the involvement of British troops in the ongoing Syria conflict.

Middle East: Peace Negotiations

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have supported any peace or reconciliation efforts in Syria and Iraq.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK strongly supports international and local efforts to seek a comprehensive political settlement in Syria, in particular the political process being taken forward by UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura. The UK is funding discussions between non-state actors representing key interest groups to encourage a Syrian national dialogue, as well as local level peace-building projects to mediate and mitigate local conflicts and to strengthen cohesion and moderate voices in these communities. The UK fully supports Prime Minister Abadi’s work to deliver the reforms and political reconciliation needed to persuade all of Iraq’s communities – Shias, Sunnis and Kurds – that they have a stake in Iraq’s future. In 2015/16 we will provide funding for a number of projects in Iraq designed to support community cohesion and encourage reconciliation, acceptance and tolerance between communities at a grass roots level. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has also deployed or reassigned 20 officers to help better understand and support the political process in Iraq, including efforts to reach out to members of the Sunni community.

Islamic State

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the number of people serving or training with Daesh in Syria and Iraq who were formerly soldiers or civil servants under Saddam Hussein.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have made no such assessment. However, a number of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's senior leadership are assessed to be Iraqis who served within Saddam Hussein’s regime.

West Bank: Water

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning its imposition of restrictions on access to water for Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK regularly raises the issue of water supplies in the Occupied Palestinian Territories with the Israeli authorities. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), did so with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu during his visit to the UK on 10 September.

Israel: Ethnic Groups

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about the family living in the Negev at Wadi Atir whose water tank was removed by Israeli soldiers during a heatwave as part of a demolition.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: While the British Government has not raised this specific issue with the Israeli authorities, we do raise our concerns regarding the treatment of the Bedouin, including in the Negev. The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), raised the issue of the Bedouin with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu during his visit to the UK on 10 September.

West Bank

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they are making to the government of the United States about the number of United States nationals currently living in settlements in the West Bank.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The British Government has not made and is not planning to make any representations to the Government of the United States about the number of US nationals currently living in settlements in the West Bank. However, we are in regular dialogue with the US about the harmful effects of continued Israeli settlement activity. The UK position on this is clear. Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and present an obstacle to peace which takes us further away from a two state solution.

West Bank: Crimes of Violence

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about the progress of the investigation into the death of Ali Saeed Dawabsheh in Duma village near Nablus.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv raised the issue of the investigation with the Israeli Defence Minister on 10 September. We have called on the Israeli authorities to ensure that those responsible for this crime are brought swiftly to justice.

Israel: Armed Forces

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they are having with the government of Israel about the review of live-fire regulations.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), discussed the issue of the use of live fire by the Israel Defence Forces with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu during his visit to the UK on 10 September. Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv also raised our concerns over the use of live fire with the Israeli Chief Military Advocate General on 27 August.

Israel: Religious Buildings

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what concerns they have expressed to the government of Israel about the temporal and spatial restrictions on the entry for Muslims to Al Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv raised the issue of the Al Aqsa Mosque and Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif compound on 1 September with the Israeli Cabinet Secretary. An official from our Embassy also raised this issue with the Deputy Head of Foreign Affairs at the Israeli National Security Council on the same day. It is vital that the longstanding status quo of the Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif compound be preserved and we urge the Israeli authorities to comply with their obligations under international law as an occupying power in East Jerusalem.

Eritrea: Ethiopia

Lord Avebury: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to propose to the UN Secretary-General that he commission a study of the effects on the economies of Eritrea and Ethiopia if the latter gave their unequivocal approval to the boundary demarcation between the two states, as determined by the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have no plans at present to propose to the UN Secretary-General that he commission such a study.Resolving the ongoing Ethiopia-Eritrea border dispute requires both countries to engage in political dialogue. We believe this would be in the economic interests of both countries, and contribute to reducing instability in the Horn of Africa.We have consistently urged both Eritrea and Ethiopia to engage bilaterally and with international partners, such as the EU and the UN, to overcome the current stalemate. The UK, along with our partners in the international community, has underlined that the decision by the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission is final and binding. We urge both governments to respect the commitment they made in the Algiers peace agreement of December 2000.

Cabinet Office

Cybercrime

Lord Carlile of Berriew: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made in the forthcoming Strategic Defence and Security Review of the threat posed by cyber security; and whether they plan to commit to new spending in this area.

Lord Bridges of Headley: We regard cyber security as one of the top risks to UK national security. The 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review therefore covers cyber security and will consider what we need to tackle the cyber threat. We cannot speculate on the outcome of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

National College for High Speed Rail

Lord Haskel: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the operating costs of the proposed National College for High Speed Rail; and how those costs will be met.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Business Plan and Capital Application for the National College were submitted to the Department on 16 July. The proposals provide an estimate of the operating costs of the college and potential income sources. As an independent body, the college will be responsible for all decisions about the operations of the college and how these costs will be met. Employers will be expected to contribute towards these costs through investment in training and the provision of equipment.

Department for International Development

Developing Countries: New Businesses

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take, if any, to support the campaign launched by Dell for the post-2015 UN development agenda to promote sustainable development through entrepreneurship.

Baroness Verma: The UK has played a key role in the negotiation of the Sustainable Development Goals and fully supports the Open Working Group proposal which will be formally agreed at the UN summit later this month. DFID runs a range of programmes to support entrepreneurs, including working with business action groups, providing support to improve the investment climate for small businesses and hosting challenge funds to which entrepreneurs can apply to for grants.

Overseas Aid

Lord Lipsey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether new spending on migrants will count towards the statutory target of spending 0.7 per cent of gross national income on overseas aid.

Baroness Verma: In his statement to Parliament on 7 September the Prime Minister stated that, in full accordance with internationally agreed rules, the UK will ensure that the full cost of supporting thousands of Syrian refugees in the UK will be met through our aid spending for the first year.

Yemen: Humanitarian Aid

Lord Luce: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the humanitarian needs of the people of Yemen; and what humanitarian assistance is being provided to them.

Baroness Verma: According to the UN, 21 million people - more than 80% of the population - are in need of humanitarian assistance in Yemen. Of those, over 6 million people are facing severe food shortages, with households struggling to meet their daily needs. In particular, 1.8 million children are most at risk and require access to life-saving nutrition services. In Hodeidah city alone, UNICEF have warned that 96,000 severely malnourished children are at risk of dying.   The UK is one of the largest donors to the crisis in Yemen and has announced £55 million to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, focused on the most urgent life-saving needs. UK aid will provide emergency shelter, healthcare, water, food and nutrition assistance for at least half a million Yemenis, as well as supporting UN work to co-ordinate the international humanitarian response.

World Food Programme

Lord Boateng: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the European Union, the United States of America and other development partners, about the funding of the UN World Food Programme in the light of budgetary pressures ensuing from the refugee crisis in Syria.

Lord Boateng: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to increase the United Kingdom's contribution to the UN World Food Programme in response to the refugee crisis in Syria.

Lord Boateng: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the UN World Food Programme's decision to reduce assistance provided to 1.6 million Syrians in refugee camps owing to budgetary constraints.

Baroness Verma: The UK has a proud record of leadership on the humanitarian response to the Syria crisis, having pledged a total of £1 billion. The UK has provided over £169 million to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) since the start of the crisis.   WFP, like all our partners, is under intense pressure to respond to massive needs in the region and has had to make some tough choices. The UK strongly supports WFP’s efforts to target the most vulnerable in this crisis, particularly women and children. The UK is closely monitoring the situation across the region, alongside other key donors, to understand how this reduction in support will impact the lives of Syrian refugees.   The UK does not lobby other donors on behalf of any specific agency, but to focus their attention and their resources on supporting the overall Syria crisis response. The UK is by far the largest bilateral donor in Europe, and second only to the United States, to the Syria crisis. However the UK, the US and the European Union cannot do this alone and other donors must do more to support the needs of millions of Syrians across the region.

Syria: Refugees

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy on the treatment of Syrian refugees living outside refugee camps in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, and Tunisia.

Baroness Verma: The UK has allocated £500 million to support Syrian refugees in the region, the majority of who live in host communities. Our support has reached hundreds of thousands of people in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt and helped host governments deal with the influx of refugees. As well as meeting immediate needs of refugees and vulnerable members of host communities, we are helping build the longer term resilience of refugees through funding to local municipalities for essential public services, such as education. Syrian refugees in Tunisia are being supported by UNHCR.

Syria: Refugees

Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that the UNHCR fails to protect Christians from discrimination in the refugee camps set up to help those fleeing Syria.

Baroness Verma: DFID continues to work with the UN and the international community to ensure all minorities’ rights are protected and our aid reaches those in greatest need. UNHCR have informed us that they are not aware of any discrimination in any of the camps that fall under their responsibility. UNHCR monitors camps and have given assurance that if there were reports of discrimination they would look into these matters closely.   All UK funded assistance is distributed on the basis of need to ensure civilians are not discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, or ethnicity.

Middle East: Refugees

Lord Eames: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the case for greater co-ordination of relief efforts by voluntary organisations working with refugees in Syria and the surrounding countries.

Baroness Verma: The UK has been at the forefront of efforts to push the UN and other agencies to coordinate better and deliver more effectively. There have been substantial improvements in coordination – which saves lives – over the past year. Over four years into the crisis, and with dwindling donor resources, it is critical that UN agencies use the most cost efficient and effective ways to deliver assistance to refugees in the region.

Department for Education

Academies

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many new academy schools they estimate will open in the year May 2015 to May 2016.

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their target for opening new academy schools in the year May 2015 to May 2016.

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their target for opening new academy schools in each of the next five years.

Lord Nash: The government has no targets for opening new academies. On the basis of actual opening dates since May 2015 and anticipated opening dates of current academy proposals, between May 2015 and May 2016 approximately 650 new academies will open; this number is very likely to change as new projects arise.

Academies

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many sponsors have applied to open new academy schools since May.

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage sponsors to open new academy schools.

Lord Touhig: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their total estimated value of sponsorship for new academy schools between 7 May and 31 August.

Lord Nash: On Monday 7 September 2015 my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Education and I attended the Academy Ambassadors ‘businesses in schools’ event, at which the Secretary of State urged business leaders to set up more academy trusts. I set up Academy Ambassadors (AA) to recruit sponsors and high-calibre business leaders to join academy trust boards as non-executive directors. This latter activity is to help multi-academy trusts grow in a sustainable way, offer specific support such as Chair of Audit or Finance, or simply serve as strong, independent board members. AA work closely with academy trusts to recruit non-executive directors and trustees with the specific skill-set the trust requires, from their local community. Its most successful approaches have been through business breakfasts, partnerships with large employers, and working with network organisations (such as Women in Banking and Finance). AA has placed over 80 business leaders onto academy trusts and has a current ‘talent pool’ of over 150 business people. In addition, the Department for Education’s Regional Schools Commissioners undertake a wide range of activities to encourage sponsorship involving schools, businesses and other bodies, including colleges and universities, in their regions. The value of sponsorship is largely unquantifiable in purely monetary terms. Since May, no new schools have opened where the sponsor had ‘applied’ since May, however, we regularly receive applications from organisations wishing to be academy sponsors.

The Lord Chairman of Committees

House of Lords: Electronic Cigarettes

Lord Blencathra: To ask the Chairman of Committees whether the Administration and Works Committee will reconsider the ban on e-cigarettes in rooms in the House of Lords which formerly permitted smoking, in the light of the conclusions of a report by Public Health England that e-cigarettes are a good substitute for tobacco cigarettes and should be available on the NHS.

Lord Laming: The Administration and Works Committee agreed that the e-cigarette policy should ideally be a bicameral one; it presently is. This has ensured that the policy is simple and applied across the whole Estate. The decision to ban the use of e-cigarettes across the Estate (except in smoking shelters and a dedicated e-cigarette use area) was based on the advice available at the time about uncertainty over the impact of e-cigarettes, safety concerns and the practice of other organisations. I recognise that the position on e-cigarettes is changing and we will keep this matter under review.

House of Lords: Catering

Lord Palmer: To ask the Chairman of Committees what costs were incurred in the recruitment of the House of Lords Executive Chef.

Lord Laming: The recruitment exercise for an executive chef is ongoing. We have paid £346.61 to publicise the vacancy in relevant forums. Other anticipated costs include a £350 fee for an external recruitment panel member and the marginal cost of ingredients for a cooking test. Other costs are not envisaged, although we do reimburse reasonable candidate travel expenses.

Ministry of Defence

Syria: Military Intervention

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what legal authority they obtained before conducting the drone attack in Syria that was announced on 7 September.

Earl Howe: My right hon. friend the Defence Secretary authorised this operation. The Attorney General was consulted in advance and advised that there would be a clear legal basis for action in international law.

Syria: Military Intervention

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people were killed during the drone strike on Raqqa on 21 August.

Earl Howe: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced to the House on 7 September, Reyaad Khan was killed in a precision air strike carried out in Raqqa on 21 August by an RAF remotely piloted air system. In addition to Reyaad Khan, two ISIL fighters were also killed.

Syria: Military Intervention

Lord Ahmed: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any civilians were killed in the drone strike on Raqqa on 21 August.

Earl Howe: My right hon. Friend The Prime Minister confirmed in his statement to the House on 7 September that there were no civilian casualties resulting from the precision air strike in Raqqa on 21 August 2015.

Northern Ireland Office

Social Security Benefits: Northern Ireland

Lord Mawhinney: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it remains their policy that state benefits in Northern Ireland, and the qualifications to receive such benefits, should remain the same as those in England.

Lord Dunlop: Welfare is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland. The Government is clear that we will not fund a more generous welfare system in Northern Ireland than elsewhere in the United Kingdom. The Northern Ireland Executive is, however, free to make more resources available for welfare from within its block grant.

Parades Commission: Freedom of Information

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether all the material used in making determinations by the Northern Irish Parades Commission is subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, and if not, why not.

Lord Dunlop: The disclosure of information relating to decisions made by the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland is an operational matter for the Commission acting independently of Government.The Noble Lord may wish to write to the Parades Commission directly on this matter.

Belfast Agreement

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Belfast Agreement 1998 provides for a role for the government of the Republic of Ireland in Strand One talks where the discussions are about Northern Irish internal affairs.

Lord Dunlop: As the Noble Lord is aware, the involvement of the Irish Government in cross-party talks is in accordance with the established three-stranded approach to Northern Ireland affairs and the 1998 Belfast Agreement. This provides that Northern Ireland’s internal arrangements are for the Northern Ireland parties and the United Kingdom Government alone to decide. A commitment always to stand by that principle was contained in the Government’s Northern Ireland Manifesto at the General Election.